KASPER SCHMEICHEL has implored Manchester United fans to get behind their team more.

The former Premier League-winning goalkeeper – who is also the son of United legend Peter Schmeichel – insists he understands why fans are protesting against the ownership at Old Trafford.

But the Dane also believes those very protests are not helping the current crop of players on the pitch.

Boss Michael Carrick got a much-needed victory with a hard-fought, comeback win over Roma in the Champions League this week.

It was the club’s first win in 10 games and with two tricky fixtures looming, Kasper thinks the fans need to give the team all the support they can.

He said on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’d still be very tentative, particularly considering your next two games are Aston Villa and Liverpool. That’s a tough ask even if you’re on a good run.

“If you want to force a change, you have to a little bit get on the bandwagon to promote the positivity.

“I like that the fans, they stayed. They could have gone at half time and been frustrated and missed the traffic, but I like the fact that they stayed.

“And once the first goal went in, that was enough to create the atmosphere. Now the fans have their chance to influence what’s going on on the pitch for the next game. Now they have the chance to go and back it up.

“I completely get wanting to protest and all of that, but like I say, for the players, it just doesn’t help.

“So now, if you want your team to do well – which I very much believe they do, nobody wants to come and watch their team lose – now it’s about doing exactly what they did second half. Backing the team the same way.

“When things go wrong, let’s not get negative straight away. Put things into context sometimes. For example, you are coming up against a very good Aston Villa side.

“So things can go wrong in games, but it’s about the reaction. Then, most of all, it’s the players’ responsibility to give the fans something. Give them something to cheer about and they will respond.”

It’s safe to say that Schmeichel, who came through the youth ranks at Manchester City of all places, is not the man United fans wanted to hear this from.

One user wrote: “Sling it you City b******.”

Another commented: “One of the worst takes I’ve seen.”

A third posted: “We can hate the scum owners and still support the club.”

Matheus Cunha inspired Man United’s dramatic 3-2 win over the Serie A giants.

But with the club languishing in 17th in the Premier League, the players need to turn their domestic form around and do it fast if Carrick is to keep his job.